Silverlight Rising Part I: ForceFall

Chapter Twelve: Visions of Dawn

That smell was all too familiar. I had thought I’d never know its embrace again. It was my mother, I knew it without a doubt. I open my eyes and I’m lying in bed with fresh tears on my cheeks. In the corner of the room was Kavin sitting on a stool and staring at the corner. He was no more than seven or eight. Which makes me three or four, it was obvious that we’d been fighting and Kavin was being punished.

The smell of freshly cooked food was permeating the entire household. I stand and walk to the window that looked out over the entire mountain valley. We were far from the nearest town which I could barely see on the horizon. There was a small dirt path that that twisted from the house all the way to the barn where my father was walking from.

“Daddy!” I shout running past Kavin and down the stairs.

My mother stops cooking and follows me to the door. “Stop running in the house Atlas!” she snaps.

But I was too committed and leapt into my father’s arms as he pushed the screen door open. “Hey there Pup, did you miss me?” he says in a rugged by affection tone. He rubs my head and puts me back on the ground before hugging and kissing mom. “Where’s Kavin?” he asks.

Mom glares at him. “Your son is getting more and more powerful.”

“Uh, oh what happened now?” Dad responds with an apathetic gesture.

“Kavvy, pushed me off the highchair…again!” I shout while pointing at a fresh bruise just under my chin.

Dad studies my wound and glances at mom. “I’ll talk to him. Kavin, come here!”

The sound of slow and tense steps echo from upstairs and Kavin appears several seconds later. “Yes, father?” he says in a timid voice.

“What do I always tell you?” my father says in a stern voice.

“But, he touched…” Kavin starts to argue.

“What do I always tell you, Kavin!?” Father orders in a louder voice.

Kavin averts his eyes. “Never use my abilities to hurt.”

“And?” he demands.

“Always protect my brother.” He finishes in a soft tone.

Dad places his hands on Kavin’s shoulders. “You guys are special, like your mother and me, but just because you’re special doesn’t mean you’re better that others. Power doesn’t give you the right to hurt others, it makes you responsible for those who are weaker and powerless. Remember that always.” Dad lifts Kavin’s chin and smiles. “Always.”

Just then a knock comes at the door, my father turns and faces the screen. “Excuse me?” the man says. “I don’t mean to bother you and your family, but I wondering if you had some work I could do for a meal, maybe a place to sleep for the night?”

My father opens the door and welcomes the stranger in. “I’m sure we could accommodate you. I’m Vinik Gordon, this is my wife Ayanna, and our two son, Kavin and Atlas.”

“Oh, thank you sir. It’s been several days since I’ve had a good meal.” The stranger says with a half bow. “By the way, you can call me Halish, Halish Qin.”

I jerk awake, covered in cold sweat. I feel a hand on my wrist and pull away instinctively. Peni jumps in response and I fully realize I’m back on the Cardinal Phoenix. “I’m Sorry Peni.” I says with a short breath. “Just had a very intense dream.”

Peni simply smiles and nods her head before walking out of the infirmary. I rub my temples, attempting to clear my mind of the vivid dream. The Lesser wasn’t joking when he said I’d be experience lucid visions.

A moment later Tome, Mara, and Pensim walk in. “How you feeling, Sith?” Tome says with a sarcastic voice.

I ignore him and stare at Mara who slightly blushes. “Thank you, Mara.”

She takes a step back and turns bright burgundy, even Pensim turns a soft shade of purple. “I thought you weren’t awake for that.” She says.

“I heard everything.” I respond without breaking eye contact.

She continues to turn burgundy when Pensim clears his throat. “So, that’s the last time you guys leave me on the ship.” His cheeks turn red with frustrated jealousy. “I had to listen to Quomas and Q2 argue about the hyperdrive torsion clamps, while you guys got to explore an awesome Sith ruin.”

“Don’t worry, Pens, next time we’ll bring you along as fodder.” Tome says with a laugh.

“So?” I interrupt. “What happened while I was out?”

Tome grimaces. “Nothing good, Master Seto wasn’t doing so well and we were running low on supplies so we decided to go to Sleheyron.” He says with a huff. “Figured, cause it’s in Hutt space we could lay low for a bit.”

“Hutt Space?! Whose bright idea was that…don’t answer that.” I respond.

“That’s not everything, Atlas.” Mara says. “More of the core worlds have fallen to the Silverlights.” She brings up a holographic news feed.

“In the wake of the astounding defeat of the Galactic Republic on Coruscant and the equally unexpected Jedi retreat.” The news anchor says without emotion. “The entity calling himself Xyon-Kray has issues this announcement from the Senate Chamber.”

The Hologram shifts to Xyon-Kray. “Free people of the Galaxy, I am Xyon-Kray, harbinger of change and reform. I stand here as your ally not as a conqueror, I will build a new government from the ashes of this flawed one. A government that exists without corruption, one that grants true freedom to those who want it. No longer will you be subjugated by their powerful, I am your liberator. Follow me into a new light.”

Mara closes the hologram and stares blankly at me. “Almost immediately after that speech he issued a Galaxy wide bounty on all force sensitives.”

“He wants to continue building an army of Wraths like Master Alix.” I say while looking at Reeva Alix in the medical bed beside me. “Has he taken Tython yet?”

“No, a few days ago Tython deployed its Planetary shield…it’s virtually impossible to get in or out at the moment.” Pensim says. “I hope it’s enough.”

Me too, Pensim. “Where’s Master Seto and…Halish?”

“Masters Seto and Halish have been at the clinic getting Seto a new arm. Quomas has been ordering supplies and selling what he can for credits. We don’t have a lot in way of creds.” Mara says. “Oh, and we were ordered to lock you up when you woke up.”

I let out a laugh. “Oh, you’re serious.” I say. The three of them nod their head in unison. “Well, that’s fine and all but I need to go get some fresh air. So…” I pause to see what their reactions are.

Mara looks at Tome who shrugs and looks at Pensim who nods his head and flashs bright green. “We figured you’d say something like that, so we hid your lightsaber.” He finish with a satisfied grin.

I place my hand on my belt where my hilt usually is and glare at the three gremlins. “I’ll be taking that back…right now!” I order with my hand stretched out.

“Nice try,” Mara says with a smile. “But, if you’re leaving the ship we can’t risk being seen by bounty hunters. Master Seto and Halish left theirs as well.” She walks over to a locker and pulls out some cloths. “And put this one, normal people don’t were robes like that.”

I scrutinize the common rags and study their outfits. “Do you have anything in black?” I ask. Pensim actually laughs while Mara simply rolls her eyes. “Or maybe a dark gray? I’m really trying to stay consistent with my look.” The three shake their heads and funnel out of the room to allow me to change.

I don’t know the last time I wore normal clothes, it feels strange as if I’m rediscovering a lost piece of myself. A few minutes later and I’m walking through the ship towards the exit. Tome, Mara and Pensim were hanging out in the common area working on various force disciplines. Mara naturally assumed an instructor like role for Pensim to continue to grow while Tome practiced his fighting stances. Peni was behind some crates impishly studying their every move undoubtedly attempting to learn on her own.

I exchange a glance with all three before walking out the hatch and down the ramp. It was nice being back on a planet. The ground felt a lot more stable under my feet not nearly as shaky as a ship for obvious reasons. I take a deep breath of the polluted air and let out a cough. Despite this being a Hutt controlled planet it was better than nothing.

I walk around a little while before finding a nice quiet secluded area away from prying eyes and take the opportunity to meditate. I need to try and make sense of what happened on Rhelg. The Lesser’s sacrifice saved my life but it came with a warning. I need to understand the visions he gave me, but also I need to master his power if I’m ever going to come close to challenging Xyon. I assume a meditation posture and focus. I can feel something in the fringes of my mind like a word that you know but cannot think of. It itches at my cerebellum, incessantly nagging at my thoughts. I ground myself pushing my force aura out and back like the waves of an ocean. Before long I can sense myself entering a trance like state.

Another temple comes into view, similar in architecture to the others but also different in many ways. Elcho Kressh was standing in front of me, he was in his prime strong and proud and I could feel a sense of love for him. “Father, are you absolutely sure about his?” Elcho say. “This artifact can make you the strongest being in all the galaxy.”

There’s a pause. “Your correct son, but this power comes at a significant cost. I’m not willing to pay that price.”

“So you lock it away?” I can sense the skepticism in his voice.

I pause again and look at the large ornately carved stone case behind me. “Someday I hope you’ll understand that some things are best locked away. If our enemies were to ever get hold of the DawnWarden they will eviscerate everything in their wake.”

“I don’t understand father. You always taught me that victory must come at the all costs.” Elcho responds.

“I know you don’t my son, victory is only worth something as long as there is something left to be victorious over.” I place my hand on the casket. The surface felt cold and coursed with unimaginable power. “The long forgotten ancients locked this away to be forgotten and it’s my goal to honor their wish.”

The vision ends just as abruptly as is began bringing the alleyway back into focus. I shake my head, what the hell was that about and what is this DawnWarden thing? Obviously, if it was so dangerous that one of the most crazed Sith Lords in history thought I was too much, then its power must be staggering. Interesting, it’s plainly clear that the DawnWarden is what we need in order to fight Xyon and the Silverlight Wraths. But, to blatantly not heed the warnings of the past is reckless at best.

“Atlas,” Halish’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

Damn-it! “How long have you been there?”

“Long enough.” He says in a low voice. “It’s good to see that my force suppression skills are still on par.”

I scoff. “What, you don’t find the need to be sneaky as of late?”

He’s quiet for a moment. “Not since I became a master.” Halish says. “Though, you took to the skill rather well as a Sith.”

“I figured every time I used it to kill a mark I was subtly killing you, bit by bit.” I turn to look at him. “I had a dream about the first time you came to our house, all those years ago.”

“How could you remember that?” He says.

“Side effect from the Lesser.” I answer calmly. “Among other things.”

Halish walks to a railing and looks out over the planet sized city. “You really have them fooled don’t you; hell, I think you’re even starting to fool yourself. So let me remind you of who you are. You’re the enemy, a Sith and you will be nothing else but that for the rest of your insignificant life.”

“You’re one to talk, Master Qin. Where do you think I learned how to manipulate and use people from? The grand master himself.” I gesture towards him. “At least Kavin and I didn’t deny the darkness in ourselves, we made something of it. While you sulked in the shadows of the Jedi Order like rat. How exhausting it must be to always live a lie.” I spew my acidic words at him. “I remember, Halish, I remember my father trusting you and my mother allowing you into our lifes. And what did you do…huh?” Halish looks away. “You murdered them. For what, more power?” I mock. “You really thought that Kavin and I wouldn’t find the truth. You, in your infinite wisdom, never thought that two orphan boys would investigate their own parent’s death.” I take another step towards Halish. I could feel my hatred boil. “I want to hear you say it, Halish, say you murdered them!” I demand.

Halish takes a step back. “I don’t have to.” He says with a smug look on his face. “Because you’re not my problem anymore.” He pulls a device out of his pocket and lifts it to his mouth. “I got him, he’s all yours.”

Just then half a dozen bounty hunters flood the alleyway and tackle me. “What the hell!” I shout.

Halish smiles and approaches me, placing his hand on my chin. “Seto’s medical expensive were more significant than we had expected, but force sensitives are running 30k a head, 50 if they are renowned.” He says. “However, I think I can get 70k when I tell them that you’re the legendary Exiled One…How do you like that for infinite wisdom.” He turns and begins walking away before stopping. “Oh, and one more thing.” He turns and faces me. “I murdered your parents, it was nothing to me...I even enjoyed ending their pathetic lives. And you know what else, your father begged me for his life like a coward. But your mother,” Halish purses his lips with triumphant satisfaction. “Your mother actually had some dignity in her death. Is that what you wanted to hear, Atlas?” Halish begins laughing loudly as one of the bounty hunters places a bag over my head. I struggle against my captors as best as I can but Halish’s words echo in my head only making me more and more distraught. I can’t focus and I feel my strength wane rapidly.

Darkness floods my mind as I desperately attempt to free myself. “I’LL KILL YOU!” I shout. But all I hear is Halish’s laughter reverberate through the alleyway mocking me, fueling my rage. Eventually one of the hunters’ slams his rifle butt against me head and I collapse, teetering the line between consciousness and oblivion. This isn’t the end by no means, but for now I’m defeated. I have to bide my time and be a patient hunter. I swear on all creation, I will get my revenge.